Shelf Supporting Beam Configuration for Shelving Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A shelf supporting beam configuration for a shelving apparatus, includes a shelf platform, a plurality of shelf retaining members, and shelf supporting arrangement. Each shelf retaining member has two coupling ends for detachably coupling with two vertically extending posts of the shelving apparatus, and first and second longitudinal edges extended between the two coupling ends to form a boundary frame. The shelf supporting arrangement is integrally extended from each of the shelf retaining members between the first and second longitudinal edges to rigidly support the shelf platform within the boundary frame.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application, application Ser.No. 15/004,987, filed Jan. 24, 2016, and another non-provisionalapplication, application Ser. No. 15/047,651, filed Feb. 19, 2016, whichis a Continuation-In-Part application that claims the benefit ofpriority under 35U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application,application Ser. No. 15/004,987, filed Jan. 24, 2016.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a shelf structure, and moreparticularly to a shelf supporting beam configuration for a shelvingapparatus, which can effectively transfer the downward weighting forceof the object to the entire shelving apparatus.

Description of Related Arts

A conventional shelf structure comprises four vertical posts verticallyextended from four corners of the shelf structure and a plurality ofsupporting panels horizontally and spacedly coupled at the verticalposts to form a shelving unit for supporting objects. As shown in FIG.1, each vertical post comprises a plurality of tubular post members A1arranged to align end-to-end. Each of the supporting panels comprises apanel body A2 and four tubular connectors A3 provided at four corners ofthe panel body A2, wherein the end of the post member A1 is insertedinto the tubular connector A3 in order to connect the supporting panelat the vertical post. Accordingly, the configuration of the panel bodyA2 is fixed such that the size of the panel body A2 cannot be adjusted.

An improved shelf structure is provided to enhance the storage space byreducing the size of the post connection, as shown in FIG. 2, whereinthe shelf structure comprises four vertical posts each comprising aplurality of L-shaped post members B1 and a plurality of supportingpanels horizontally and spacedly coupled at the vertical posts to form ashelving unit. Each supporting panel comprises a plurality of beams B3coupled between two of the post member B1 and a panel body B4 supportedby the beams B3. As shown in FIG. 2, each beam B3 has a top edge B31, abottom edge B32, and a L-shaped folding flange B33 being folded at thetop edge B31, wherein the folding flange B33 has a folding flangeportion B34 1 overlapped on the inner side of the beam B3 and a shelfsupporting portion B35 perpendicularly extended from the inner side ofthe beam B3 to define an upper shelf support surface B36 and a lowershelf support surface B37. Therefore, the beam B3 is reversibly coupledto the post member B1 between a first configuration that the panel bodyis supported by the upper shelf support surface B36 to provide a shelfconfiguration with no upstanding lip and a second configuration that thepanel body B4 is supported by the lower shelf support surface B37 toprovide a shelf configuration with upstanding lip. However, the majordrawback of this shelf configuration is that when the object issupported on the panel body B34, the downward weighting force of theobject will substantially exert to the folding flange B33 to createstress along the top edge B31 of the beam B3. Since the folding flangeis folded along the top edge B31 of the beam B3, the excessive downwardforce of the panel body B4 and the object thereon will bend the foldingflange B33 and even twist the beam B3. Once the folding flange portionB34 or the shelf supporting portion B35 is bent or deformed, the panelbody B34 cannot be stably supported by the beam B3. Therefore, theoverall structure of the shelving unit become wobble and unstable.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a shelf supportingbeam configuration for a shelving apparatus, which can effectivelytransfer the downward weighting force of the object to the entireshelving apparatus

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelf supporting beamconfiguration for a shelving apparatus, which comprises a plurality ofshelf retaining members for coupling at the posts and a plurality ofshelf platforms rigidly supported by the shelf retaining members tosubstantially transfer the downward weighting force of the object on theshelf platform to the posts through the shelf retaining members, so asto prevent any deformation of the shelf supporting beam configuration bythe downward weighting force.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelf supporting beamconfiguration for a shelving apparatus, which provides differentsupporting orientations to selectively adjust a depth of the supportingframe.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelf supporting beamconfiguration for a shelving apparatus, wherein the shelf platform isreversibly supported by the shelf retaining members to selectivelyadjust the depth of the supporting frame. In other words, the user isable to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame withoutdisassembling the posts.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelf supporting beamconfiguration for a shelving apparatus, wherein the shelf retainingmembers are reversibly supported by the posts to selectively adjust thedepth of the supporting frame. In other words, the user is able toselectively adjust the depth of supporting frame without disassemblingthe posts.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelf supporting beamconfiguration for a shelving apparatus, which does not require to alterthe original structural design of the shelf structure, so as to minimizethe manufacturing cost of the shelving apparatus incorporating with theshelf supporting beam configuration.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a shelf supporting beamconfiguration for a shelving apparatus, wherein no expensive orcomplicated structure is required to employ in the present invention inorder to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the presentinvention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution forproviding a rigid configuration for the shelf supporting beamconfiguration of the shelving apparatus.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by a shelf supporting beam configuration for ashelving apparatus which comprises a plurality of vertically extendingposts, wherein the shelf supporting beam configuration comprises a shelfplatform, a plurality of shelf retaining members, and shelf supportingarrangement.

Each shelf retaining member has two coupling ends for detachablycoupling with two vertically extending posts of the shelving apparatus,and first and second longitudinal edges extended between the twocoupling ends to form a boundary frame.

The shelf supporting arrangement is integrally extended from each of theshelf retaining members between the first and second longitudinal edgesto rigidly support the shelf platform within the boundary frame.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first conventional shelf structure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second conventional shelf structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelving apparatus according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shelving apparatusaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a supporting frame of the shelvingapparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A illustrates the shelf platform supported at the first positionaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates the shelf platform supported at second firstposition according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first alternative mode of the supporting frame ofthe shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, showing the shelf retaining member at the firstposition.

FIG. 7A illustrates the first alternative mode of the supporting frameof the shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, showing the shelf retaining member at the secondposition.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second alternative mode of the supporting frame ofthe shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an alternative mode of the shelf platform ofthe shelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 a perspective view of a shelving apparatus according to a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the post of the shelving apparatusaccording to the above second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a sectional view illustrating the engagement between thefastener and keyhole of the post of the shelving apparatus according tothe above second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the shelf retaining member of theshelving apparatus according to the above second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a partially perspective view of the shelving apparatusaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention toillustrate the structural configuration of the shelving apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments areprovided in the following description only as examples and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principlesdefined in the following description would be applied to otherembodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a shelving apparatus according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the shelvingapparatus comprises a supporting frame 10, a plurality of verticallyextending posts 20 for detachably coupling with the supporting frame 10.

According to the preferred embodiment, the supporting frame 10 isincorporated with one or more shelf supporting beam configurations andis supported by the posts 20 in a horizontally oriented manner forsupporting one or more objects on the supporting frame 10. Inparticular, each of the posts 20 is supported in a vertically orientedmanner to serve as a corner post of the shelving apparatus. Inparticular, four posts 20 are provided that four corners of thesupporting frame 10 are coupled at the posts 20 respectively.Preferably, each post 20 has at least an upper post member 21 and atleast a lower post member 22 coupled to the upper post member 21end-to-end via a joint 30 to form the post 20.

According to the preferred embodiment, each of the shelf supporting beamconfigurations of the supporting frame 10 comprises a shelf platform 11,a plurality of shelf retaining members 12, and a shelf supportingarrangement 13.

Each of the shelf retaining members 12 is detachably coupled with two ofthe posts 20, such that the shelf retaining members 12 form a boundaryframe to support the shelf platform 11 therewithin. In particular, eachof the shelf retaining members 12 has two coupling ends 120 arranged fordetachably coupling with two of the posts 20, and first and secondlongitudinal edges 121, 122 extended between the two coupling ends 120to form the boundary frame. Accordingly, two of the shelf retainingmembers 12 serve as a front boundary and a rear boundary respectively,and the other two shelf retaining members 12 serve as two sideboundaries respectively, such that the boundary frame is formed by thefront boundary, the rear boundary, and the side boundary. Preferably,the length of the front boundary matches with the length of the rearboundary and the side boundaries are identical in length.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the shelf retaining members 12 has a planarstructure to have the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122extended parallel with each other, wherein two ends of each of the shelfretaining members 12 are detachably engaged with keyholes 23 of the twoposts 20. Accordingly, two fasteners 123 are provided at each couplingend 120 of the shelf retaining member 12 to engage with two keyholes 23of the corresponding post 20. In particular, two fastener holes areformed at each coupling end of the shelf retaining member 12, whereinthe two fasteners 123 are engaged with the fastener holes respectively.Each of the fasteners 123 is inserted into an upper hole portion 231 ofthe keyhole 23 and is slid to a lower hole portion 232 from the upperhole portion 231, so as to securely couple the shelf retaining member 12at the post 20. According to the preferred embodiment, each of thefasteners 123 is riveted to the respective coupling end 120 of the shelfretaining member 12 and has a head 1231 having a size larger than thelower hole portion 232 and slightly smaller than the upper hole portion231 so as to be fittingly inserted through the upper hole portion 231 ofthe corresponding keyhole 23 with a neck 1232, protruded between thehead 1231 and the shelf retaining member 12, having a size smaller thanthe head 1231 while fittingly sliding into the lower hole portion 232 ofthe corresponding keyhole 23 from the upper hole portion 231, so as tosecurely couple the shelf retaining member 12 at the post 20.

The first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retainingmember 12 are two folded edges respectively, wherein two longitudinaledge portions of the shelf retaining members 12 are inwardly folded onan inner side thereof to form the longitudinal edges 121, 122respectively to reinforce the planar configuration of the shelfretaining member 12.

According to the preferred embodiment, the shelf supporting arrangement13 is integrally extended from each of the shelf retaining members 12between the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 to rigidlysupport the shelf platform 10 within the boundary frame.

The shelf supporting arrangement 13 comprises a plurality of supportingtabs 131 horizontally aligned with each other and integrally protrudedfrom the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 between the firstand second longitudinal edges 121, 122 thereof, and defines a pluralityof discrete supporting surfaces 132 on the supporting tabs 131 tosupport the shelf platform 11 thereon. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B,each of the supporting tabs 131 is integrally bent from the inner sideof the shelf retaining member 12 to define the supporting surface 132close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member12. Preferably, each of the supporting tabs 131 has a triangular shapedefining a peak pointing toward the second longitudinal edge 122 of theshelf retaining member 12 and a flat surface as the supporting surface132 facing toward the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retainingmember 12. It is worth mentioning that the discrete supporting surfaces132 are aligned with each other at the same planar direction to form aflat support for supporting the shelf platform 11.

According to the preferred embodiment, the shelf platform 11 is a wireshelf made by a plurality of longitudinal and transverse wiresintersecting with each other. It should be appreciated that the shelfplatform 11 can be made of other configurations such as solid panel,laminated panel, or other materials such as wood or plastic.

The shelf platform 11 is reversibly supported by the boundary frame at afirst position and a reversibly second position to selectively adjust adepth of the shelf platform 11. In particular, the shelf platform 11 hasa surrounding edge 111 and a base panel 112 located at differenthorizontal levels of the surrounding edge 111. Accordingly, acircumferential size of the surrounding edge 111 is larger than acircumferential size of the base panel 112. At the first position, asshown in FIG. 6A, the surrounding edge 111 of the shelf platform 11 issupported by the boundary frame via the discrete supporting surfaces 132at a position that the base panel 112 is located above the surroundingedge 111, such that the base panel 112 is aligned with the firstlongitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 to minimize thedepth of the shelf platform 11.

At the second position, as shown in FIG. 6B, the surrounding edge 111 ofthe shelf platform 11 is supported by the boundary frame via thediscrete supporting surfaces 132 at a position that the base panel 112is located below the surrounding edge 111 to maximize the depth of theshelf platform 11. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11 has a basketconfiguration to define a cavity 110 within the surrounding edge 111 andthe base panel 112, wherein an opening of the cavity 110 is formedwithin the surrounding edge 111. When the shelf platform 11 is supportedat the first position, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cavity 110 is orientatedup-side-down that the opening of the cavity 110 faces downward, suchthat the object can be supported on the base panel 112 above the cavity110 (not within the cavity 110). When the shelf platform 11 is supportedat the second position, as shown in FIG. 6B, the opening of the cavity110 faces upward, such that the object can be supported on the basepanel 112 within the cavity 110.

It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11 is supported atthe first position, the base panel 112 is aligned with the firstlongitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that thebase panel 112 provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the userto load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction. When theshelf platform 11 is supported at the second position, the boundaryframe forms an obstruction wall of the cavity 110. In addition, the useris able to selectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by simplyremoving the shelf platform 11 from the shelf retaining members 12 andreversibly resting the shelf platform 11 back on the shelf retainingmembers 12 without disassembling the posts 20. In particular, the userdoes not require to disassemble the shelf retaining members 12 from theposts 20.

It is worth mentioning that since the supporting tabs 131 are integrallyprotruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to thesupport the shelf platform 11 via the supporting surfaces 132, thedownward weighting force of the object will be evenly distributed alongthe shelf retaining member 12 between the two coupling ends 120 thereofto minimize stress created at the shelf retaining member 12. Inaddition, the first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelfretaining member 12 are two folded edges respectively to reinforce theplanar configuration of the shelf retaining member 12 so as to preventany twisting force created by the downward weighting force of theobject.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first alternative mode of the shelf supportingarrangement 13A. Accordingly, the shelf supporting arrangement 13Acomprises a plurality of supporting tabs 131A horizontally aligned witheach other and integrally protruded from the inner side of the shelfretaining member 12 between the first and second longitudinal edges 121,122 thereof, and defines a plurality of discrete supporting surfaces132A on the supporting tabs 131A to support the shelf platform 11Athereon. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the supporting tabs 131A isintegrally bent from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 todefine the supporting surface 132A close to the first longitudinal edge121 of the shelf retaining member 12. Preferably, each of the supportingtabs 131A has a triangular shape defining a peak pointing toward thesecond longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 and a flatsurface as the supporting surface 132A facing toward the firstlongitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worthmentioning that the discrete supporting surfaces 132A are aligned witheach other at the same planar direction to form a flat support forsupporting the shelf platform 11A.

The shelf supporting arrangement 13A comprises a plurality of secondsupporting tabs 133A horizontally aligned with each other and integrallyprotruded from the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 betweenthe first and second longitudinal edges 121, 122 thereof, and defines aplurality of second discrete supporting surfaces 134A on the secondsupporting tabs 133A to support the shelf platform 11A thereon. As shownin FIG. 7, the supporting tabs 131A are alternated with the secondsupporting tabs 133A. Accordingly, the second supporting tabs 133A areadditional supporting tabs of the first supporting tabs 131A.Preferably, the supporting tabs 131A are identical to the secondsupporting tabs 126A, wherein an orientation of each of the supportingtabs 131A is opposite to an orientation of each of the second supportingtabs 133A. Each of the second supporting tabs 133A is integrally bentfrom the inner side of the shelf retaining member 12 to define thesecond supporting surface 134A. Preferably, each of the secondsupporting tabs 133A has a triangular shape defining a peak pointingtoward the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12and a flat surface as the second supporting surface 134A facing towardthe second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. It isworth mentioning that the second discrete supporting surfaces 134A arealigned with each other at the same planar direction to form a flatsupport for supporting the shelf platform 11A. In addition, a distancebetween the first longitudinal edge 121 and the first supporting surface132A of the shelf supporting arrangement 13A is smaller than a distancebetween the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member12 and the second supporting surface 134A of the shelf supportingarrangement 13A.

Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a planar configuration for beingsupported by the boundary frame. In particular, the shelf platform 11Ais reversibly supported by the bounding frame at a first position and areversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelfplatform 11A. Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a surrounding edge111A and a base panel 112A located at same horizontal level of thesurrounding edge 111A. At the first position, the surrounding edge 111Aof the shelf platform 11A is supported by the first supporting surfaces132A of the first supporting tabs 131A, such that the base panel 112A isaligned with the first longitudinal edge 121A of the shelf retainingmember 12A to minimize the depth of the shelf platform 11A. At thesecond position, the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A issupported by the second supporting surfaces 134A of the secondsupporting tabs 133A to maximize the depth of the shelf platform 11A.

Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a panel configuration to beselectively supported at different horizontal levels between the firstand second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retaining member 12.Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a surrounding edge 111A and abase panel 112A located at same horizontal level of the surrounding edge111A.

When the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported atthe first position that the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelfretaining member 12 is orientated above the second longitudinal edge 122thereof, the shelf platform 11A is supported by the first supportingsurfaces 132A of the first supporting tabs 131A to raise the horizontallevel of the shelf platform 11A close to the first longitudinal edge 121of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worth mentioning that when thefirst longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 isorientated above the second longitudinal edge 122 thereof, the firstsupporting surfaces 132A of the first supporting tabs 131A arepositioned above the second supporting surfaces 134A of the secondsupporting tabs 133A.

The shelf retaining member 12 is reversibly coupled to the posts 20 forsupporting the shelf platform 11A at the second position, wherein thesecond longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 isorientated above the first longitudinal edge 121 thereof. When thesurrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported at thesecond position, the shelf platform 11A is supported by the secondsupporting surfaces 134A of the second supporting tabs 133A to drop thehorizontal level of the shelf platform 11A away from the secondlongitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. It is worthmentioning that when the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelfretaining member 12 is orientated above the first longitudinal edge 121thereof, the second supporting surfaces 134A of the second supportingtabs 133A are positioned above the first supporting surfaces 132A of thefirst supporting tabs 131A.

It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11A is supported atthe first position, the base panel 112A is aligned with the firstlongitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that thebase panel 112A provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the userto load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction. When theshelf platform 11A is supported at the second position, the boundaryframe forms an obstruction wall. In addition, the user is able toselectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by reversiblymounting the shelf retaining members 12 to the posts 20 and resting theshelf platform 11A on the shelf retaining members 12 withoutdisassembling the posts 20.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second alternative mode of the shelf supportingarrangement 13B. Accordingly, the shelf supporting arrangement 13Bcomprises a supporting bar 130B horizontally protruded from the innerside of the shelf retaining member 12 to define a first supportingsurface 131B and an opposed second supporting surface 132B toselectively support the shelf platform 11A. Accordingly, the firstsupporting surface 131B is extended parallel to the second supportingsurface 132B. In addition, a distance between the first longitudinaledge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 and the first supportingsurface 131B is smaller than a distance between the second longitudinaledge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 and the second supportingsurface 132B.

Accordingly, the supporting bar 130B, having a rectangular crosssection, has a first bar panel 133B defining the first supportingsurface 131B thereon, a second bar panel 134B defining the secondsupporting surface 132B thereon, and a reinforcing panel 135B extendedbetween the first and second bar panels 133B, 134B to reinforce arigidity of each of the first and second bar panels 133B, 134B.

Accordingly to the preferred embodiment, the shelf platform 11A has aplanar configuration for being supported by the boundary frame. Inparticular, the shelf platform 11A is reversibly supported by thebounding frame at a first position and a reversibly second position toselectively adjust a depth of the shelf platform 11A. Accordingly, theshelf platform 11A has a surrounding edge 111A and a base panel 112Alocated at same horizontal level of the surrounding edge 111A. At thefirst position, the surrounding edge 111A of the shelf platform 11A issupported by the first supporting surfaces 131B of the supporting bar130B, such that the base panel 112A is aligned with close to the firstlongitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 to minimize thedepth of the shelf platform 11A. At the second position, the surroundingedge 111A of the shelf platform 11A is supported by the secondsupporting surfaces 132B of the supporting bar 120B to maximize thedepth of the shelf platform 11A.

Accordingly, the shelf platform 11A has a panel configuration to beselectively supported at different horizontal levels between the firstand second longitudinal edges 121, 122 of the shelf retaining member 12.When the shelf platform 11A is supported at the first position that thefirst longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 isorientated above the second longitudinal edge 122 thereof, the shelfplatform 11A is supported by the first supporting surface 131B of thesupporting bar 130B to raise the horizontal level of the shelf platform11A close to the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retainingmember 12. It is worth mentioning that when the first longitudinal edge121 of the shelf retaining member 12 is orientated above the secondlongitudinal edge 122 thereof, the first supporting surface 131B of thesupporting bar 130B are positioned above the second supporting surface132B of the supporting bar 130B.

The shelf retaining member 12 is reversibly coupled to the posts 20 forsupporting the shelf platform 11A at the second position, wherein thesecond longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12 isorientated above the first longitudinal edge 121 thereof. When the shelfplatform 11B is supported at the second position, the shelf platform 11Bis supported by the second supporting surface 132B of the supporting bar130B to drop the horizontal level of the shelf platform 11A away fromthe second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelf retaining member 12. It isworth mentioning that when the second longitudinal edge 122 of the shelfretaining member 12 is orientated above the first longitudinal edge 121thereof, the second supporting surface 132B of the supporting bar 130Bare positioned above the first supporting surface 131B of the supportingbar 130B.

It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11A is supported atthe first position, the base panel 112A is aligned with the firstlongitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12, such that thebase panel 112A provides a boundary-less supporting surface for the userto load or unload the object thereon without any obstruction. When theshelf platform 11A is supported at the second position, the boundaryframe forms an obstruction wall. In addition, the user is able toselectively adjust the depth of supporting frame 10 by reversiblymounting the shelf retaining members 12 to the posts 20 and resting theshelf platform 11A on the shelf retaining members 12 withoutdisassembling the posts 20.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an alternative mode of the shelf platform 11Cwhich is reversibly supported by the boundary frame at a first positionand a reversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of theshelf platform 11C. In particular, the shelf platform 11C has asurrounding edge 111C and a base panel 112C located at differenthorizontal levels of the surrounding edge 111C. Accordingly, acircumferential size of the surrounding edge 111C is smaller than acircumferential size of the base panel 112C. At the first position, asshown in FIG. 9A, the base panel 112C of the shelf platform 11C issupported by the boundary frame via the discrete supporting surfaces 132at a position that the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11Cis located above the base panel 112C thereof to maximize the depth ofthe shelf platform 11C. At the second position, as shown in FIG. 9B, thebase panel 112C of the shelf platform 11C is supported by the boundaryframe via the discrete supporting surfaces 132 at a position that thesurrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C is located below thebase panel 112C thereof to minimize the depth of the shelf platform 11C.Accordingly, the shelf platform 11C has a basket configuration to definea cavity 110C within the surrounding edge 111C and the base panel 112C,wherein an opening of the cavity 110C is formed within the surroundingedge 111C. When the shelf platform 11C is supported at the firstposition, as shown in FIG. 9A, the opening of the cavity 110C facesupward, such that the object can be supported on the base panel 112Cwithin the cavity 110C. When the shelf platform 11C is supported at thesecond position, as shown in FIG. 9B, the cavity 110C is orientatedup-side-down that the opening of the cavity 110C faces downward, suchthat the object can be supported on the base panel 112C above the cavity110C (not within the cavity 110C).

It is worth mentioning that when the shelf platform 11C is supported atthe first position, the surrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11Cforms an obstruction wall of the cavity 110C. When the shelf platform11C is supported at the second position, the base panel 112C is alignedwith the first longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12,such that the base panel 112 provides a boundary-less supporting surfacefor the user to load or unload the object thereon without anyobstruction.

It is worth mentioning that the base panel 112C is aligned with thefirst longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12 at thefirst and second positions. At the first position, the surrounding edge111C of the shelf platform 11C is located above the first longitudinaledge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12. At the second position, thesurrounding edge 111C of the shelf platform 11C is located below thefirst longitudinal edge 121 of the shelf retaining member 12.

In addition, the user is able to selectively adjust the depth ofsupporting frame 10 by simply removing the shelf platform 11C from theshelf retaining members 12 and reversibly resting the shelf platform 11Cback on the shelf retaining members 12 without disassembling the posts20. In particular, the user does not require to disassemble the shelfretaining members 12 from the posts 20.

As shown in FIG. 10, a shelving apparatus according to a secondembodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment,wherein the structural configuration of the shelving apparatus of thesecond embodiment is the modification of the first embodiment.Accordingly, the upper and lower post members 21D, 22D of the post 20Dof the second embodiment are configured the same as the upper and lowerpost members 21, 22 of the post 20 of the first embodiment, wherein theupper and lower post members 21D, 22D are coupled with each other viathe joint 30.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of keyholes 23D are alignedlyformed on a first post wall 211D, 221D and a second post wall 212D, 222Dof each of the upper and lower post members 21D, 22D. Each of thekeyholes 23D has an upper hole portion 231D and a lower hole portion232D, wherein a size of the upper hole portion 231D is larger than asize of the lower hole portion 232D. Each of the upper and lower postmembers 21D, 22D further comprises a plurality of keyhole covers 233Dintegrally and outwardly protruded from the outer side of each of thefirst post wall 211D, 221D and the second post wall 212D, 222D. Inparticular, each of the keyhole covers 233D is integrally extended topartially cover the upper hole portion 231D of each of the keyholes 23Dat the outer side of the post members 21D, 22D while the lower holeportion 232D of each of the keyholes 23D is uncovered. The shape andsize of the keyhole cover 233D is configured according to the shape andsize of the upper hole portion 231D of the keyhole 23D. In order to formthe keyhole covers 233D, each of the upper and lower post members 21D,22D is punched at the inner side thereof via a punching machine to bendthe keyhole covers 233D out from the outer side of each of the upper andthe lower post members 21D, 22D.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, each of the shelf retaining members 12D hasa planar structure to have the first and second longitudinal edges 121D,122D extended parallel with each other, wherein two ends of each of theshelf retaining members 12D are detachably engaged with keyholes 23D ofthe two posts 20D. Accordingly, two fasteners 123D are provided at eachcoupling end 120D of the shelf retaining member 12D to engage with twokeyholes 23D of the corresponding post 20D. In particular, two fastenerholes are formed at each coupling end of the shelf retaining member 12D,wherein the two fasteners 123D are affixed to the shelf retaining member12D via the fastener holes respectively. According to the preferredembodiment, each of the fasteners 123D is riveted to the respectivecoupling end 120D of the shelf retaining member 12D and has a head 123D1having a size larger than the lower hold portion 232D and slightlysmaller than the upper hole portion 231D so as to fittingly insertedthrough the upper hole portion 231D while guiding by the keyhole cover233D not to prevent the head 123D1 from over inserting and to guide aneck 1232D, protruded between the head 123D1 and the shelf retainingmember 12D and having a size smaller than the head 123D1, to slide intothe lower hole portion 232D of the corresponding keyhole 23D from theupper hole portion 231D, so as to securely couple the shelf retainingmember 12D at the post member 21D of the post 20D.

It is worth mentioning that when the fastener 123D is inserted into theupper hole portion 231D of the keyhole 23D, as shown in FIG. 11A, thefastener 123D is blocked by the respective keyhole cover 233D to ensurethe engagement between the fastener 123D and the keyhole 23D. Therefore,the fastener 123D can be correctly slid to the lower hole portion 232Dfrom the upper hole portion 231D, so as to securely couple the shelfretaining member 12D at the post 20D. In addition, since the fastener123D is slid at the lower hole portion 232D of the keyhole 23D, aportion of the fastener 123D, such as the head 123D1, can be covered andprotected by the keyhole cover 233D to protect the fastener 123D frombeing damaged by any external force at the outer side of each of theupper and the lower post members 21D, 22D.

It is worth mentioning that the shelf platform 11D or the shelfretaining members 12D is reversibly supported at a first position and areversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelfplatform 11D. The structural configuration of the shelf platform 11D andthe shelf retaining members 12D are the same as the above mentionedembodiments. As shown in FIG. 10, the top level of the shelf apparatusis shown that the shelf retaining members 12D form a boundary frame forthe shelf platform 11D while the second to bottom levels of the shelfapparatus are shown that the shelf retaining members 12D form aboundary-less frame for the shelf platform 11D.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each of the shelf retaining members 12Dcomprises a vertical beam wall 124D defining the first and secondlongitudinal edges 121D, 122D at the upper and bottom edges of thevertical beam wall 124D. In particular, the second longitudinal edge122D of each of the shelf retaining members 12D is a folded edge thatthe bottom edge of the vertical beam wall 124D is inwardly folded on aninner side of the vertical beam wall 124D. Accordingly, the secondlongitudinal edge 122D of each of the shelf retaining members 12D has acircular cross sectional configuration.

The shelf supporting arrangement 13D comprises a top beam wall 131Dintegrally and horizontally extended from the upper edge of the verticalbeam wall 124D to define a supporting surface 132D on the top beam wall131D close to the first longitudinal edge 121D of the shelf retainingmember 12D. The supporting surface 132D is an elongated flat surface tosupport the shelf platform 11D. Furthermore, a free edge of the top beamwall 131D is also a folded edge that the free edge of the top beam wall131D is downwardly folded on a bottom side of the top beam wall 131D.Accordingly, the free edge of the top beam wall 131D has a circularcross sectional configuration.

The shelf supporting arrangement 13D further has a longitudinalreinforcing rib 133D integrally extended between the first longitudinaledge 121D of the shelf retaining member 12D and the top beam wall 131D.Accordingly, the longitudinal reinforcing rib 133D has a curved orarc-shaped cross sectional configuration that the longitudinalreinforcing rib 133D is extended between the upper edge of the verticalbeam wall 124D and the top beam wall 131D. It is worth mentioning thatthe second longitudinal edge 122D of the shelf retaining member 12D, thefree end of the top beam wall 131D, and the longitudinal reinforcing rib133D is formed in curved cross sectional configuration to reinforce thestructure of the shelf retaining member 12D to prevent any twistingmovement or torque created thereat. In other words, when the downwardloading force is applied on the supporting surface 132D of the top beamwall 131D, the longitudinal reinforcing rib 133D will prevent anytwisting movement of the top beam wall 131D and will evenly transfer thedownward loading force to the vertical beam wall 124D. Since thevertical beam wall 124D is coupled between two posts 20, the downwardloading force will then transfer to the posts 20 via the vertical beamwall 124D so as to prevent any twisting movement of the vertical beamwall 124D.

As shown in FIG. 12, one or more of additional longitudinal reinforcingrib can be integrally and outwardly formed at the vertical beam wall124D. Preferably, two additional longitudinal reinforcing ribs areextended in parallel, wherein each of the additional longitudinalreinforcing ribs has a curved cross section integrally bent at amid-portion of the vertical beam wall 124D to reinforce the structure ofthe vertical beam wall 124D to prevent any twisting movement or torquecreated thereat.

It is appreciated that, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 13, when the shelfplatform 11D sits on the supporting surface 132D, the downward forceapplied on the supporting surface 132D is supported and held by the topbeam wall 131D which is further reinforced by the reinforcing ribs 133Dand the additional reinforcing ribs that not only prevent the beam wallfrom being bent and deformed, but also provide better supporting abilityto the top beam wall 131D and the supporting surface 132D. It is worthmentioning that two ends of the shelf retaining member 12D are coupledat two of the posts 20D respectively, such that the longitudinalreinforcing ribs 133D will generate an anti-twist reinforcing force toreinforce the planar structure of the vertical beam wall 124D so as toprevent any twisting force created thereat. In addition, when thedownward force is applied on the supporting surface 132D, the downwardforce will transfer to the vertical beam wall 124D. Therefore, thereinforcing force from the reinforcing rib 133D will withstand thedownward force at the vertical beam wall 124D. In other words, thereinforcing ribs 133D will also reinforce the downward force applied onthe supporting surface 132D.

Furthermore, by configuring the longitudinal reinforcing rib 133D tohave a curved cross section outwardly extended from the vertical beamwall 124D, the longitudinal reinforcing rib 133D will also generate aresilient force at the curved portion thereof. The direction of theresilient force of the longitudinal reinforcing rib 133D is opposite tothe downward force applied on the supporting surface 132D, such that thelongitudinal reinforcing rib 133D will also enhance the supportingability of the supporting surface 132D to support a heavier loadthereon.

It is worth mentioning that the shelf platform 11D of the supportingframe 10D is reversibly supported by the supporting surface 132D at afirst position and a reversibly second position to selectively adjust adepth of the shelf platform 11D. At the first position, the base panel112D of the shelf platform 11D is supported by the supporting surface132D at a position that the surrounding edge 111D of the shelf platform11D is located above the base panel 112D thereof to maximize the depthof the shelf platform 11D. At the second position, the base panel 112Dof the shelf platform 11D is supported by the supporting surface 132D ata position that the surrounding edge 111D of the shelf platform 11D islocated below the base panel 112D thereof to minimize the depth of theshelf platform 11D.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelf supporting beam configuration for ashelving apparatus which comprises a plurality of vertically extendingposts, comprising: a shelf platform having a base panel and asurrounding edge defining a cavity within said surrounding edge and saidbase panel; a plurality of shelf retaining members for detachablycoupling with two of said posts to form a boundary frame to support saidshelf platform therewithin, wherein each of said shelf retaining memberhas two coupling ends for detachably coupling with two of said posts insaid unfolded condition, and first and second longitudinal edgesextended between said two coupling ends; a shelf supporting arrangementintegrally extended from each of said shelf retaining members betweensaid first and second longitudinal edges to support said shelf platformwithin said boundary frame, wherein said shelf platform is able to beselectively supported by said shelf supporting arrangement with saidsurrounding edge located below base panel and said cavity facingdownward or said surrounding edge located above said base panel and saidcavity facing upward.
 2. The shelf supporting beam configuration, asrecited in claim 1, wherein each of said shelf retaining membersprovides a supporting surface extended from an inner side thereofbetween said two longitudinal edges to support said respective shelfplatform and at least one longitudinal edge portion of each of saidshelf retaining members is inwardly folded on an inner side thereof toform said longitudinal edge to reinforce a planar configuration of saidretaining member.
 3. The shelf supporting beam configuration, as recitedin claim 2, wherein each of said shelf retaining members has a pluralityof supporting tabs horizontally aligned with each other and protrudedfrom said inner side of each of said shelf retaining members betweenfirst and second longitudinal edges thereof and defines a plurality ofdiscrete supporting surfaces on said supporting tabs to support saidshelf platform thereon.
 4. The shelf supporting beam configuration, asrecited in claim 1, wherein each of said shelf retaining members has aplurality of supporting tabs provided on an inner side of reach of saidshelf retaining members between first and second longitudinal edgesthereof and defines a plurality of supporting surfaces on saidsupporting tabs to support said shelf platform thereon, wherein each ofsaid supporting tabs is integrally bent from said inner side of saidshelf retaining member to define said supporting surface adjacent tosaid first longitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member.
 5. Theshelf supporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 1, wherein eachof said shelf retaining members has a plurality of supporting tabsprovided on an inner side of reach of said shelf retaining membersbetween first and second longitudinal edges thereof and defines aplurality of supporting surfaces on said supporting tabs to support saidshelf platform thereon, wherein each of said supporting tabs has atriangular shape defining a peak pointing toward said secondlongitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member and a flat surface assaid supporting surface facing toward said first longitudinal edge ofsaid shelf retaining member, wherein said discrete supporting surfacesare aligned with each other at a same planar direction to form a flatsupport for supporting said shelf platform.
 6. The shelf supporting beamconfiguration, as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said supportingtabs has a triangular shape defining a peak pointing toward said secondlongitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member and a flat surface assaid supporting surface facing toward said first longitudinal edge ofsaid shelf retaining member, wherein said discrete supporting surfacesare aligned with each other at a same planar direction to form a flatsupport for supporting said shelf platform.
 7. The shelf supporting beamconfiguration, as recited in claim 1, wherein said surrounding edge andsaid base panel of said shelf platform are located at differenthorizontal levels, wherein said shelf platform is reversibly supportedby said bounding frame at a first position and a reversibly secondposition, wherein at said first position, said surrounding edge issupported by said boundary frame at a position that said base panellocated above said surrounding edge, and at said second position, saidsurrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position thatsaid base panel located below said surrounding edge.
 8. The shelfsupporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 3, wherein saidsurrounding edge and said base panel of said shelf platform are locatedat different horizontal levels, wherein said shelf platform isreversibly supported by said bounding frame at a first position and areversibly second position, wherein at said first position, saidsurrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position thatsaid base panel located above said surrounding edge, and at said secondposition, said surrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at aposition that said base panel located below said surrounding edge. 9.The shelf supporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 7, whereinat said first position, said base panel is aligned with said firstlongitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member, and at said secondposition, said base panel is supported below said first longitudinaledge of said shelf retaining member.
 10. The shelf supporting beamconfiguration, as recited in claim 8, wherein at said first position,said base panel is aligned with said first longitudinal edge of saidshelf retaining member, and at said second position, said base panel issupported below said first longitudinal edge of said shelf retainingmember.
 11. The shelf supporting beam configuration, as recited in claim2, wherein each of said shelf retaining members comprises a verticalbeam wall defining said first and second longitudinal edges at an upperand bottom edges thereof, a top beam wall integrally and horizontallyextended from said upper edge of said vertical beam wall to define saidsupporting surface on said top beam wall close to said firstlongitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member, and a longitudinalreinforcing rib integrally extended between said first longitudinal edgeof said shelf retaining member and said top beam wall, wherein saidsupporting surface is an elongated flat surface to support said shelfplatform and said longitudinal reinforcing rib is extended between saidupper edge of said vertical beam wall and said top beam wall toreinforce the structure of said shelf retaining member.
 12. The shelfsupporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 11, wherein saidsecond longitudinal edge of each of said shelf retaining members is afolded edge that said bottom edge of said vertical beam wall is inwardlyfolded on an inner side of said vertical beam wall, wherein a free edgeof said top beam wall of each of said shelf retaining members is afolded edge that said free edge of said top beam wall is downwardlyfolded on a bottom side of said top beam wall.
 13. The shelf supportingbeam configuration, as recited in claim 11, wherein said longitudinalreinforcing rib of each of said shelf retaining members is formed incurved cross sectional configuration.
 14. The shelf supporting beamconfiguration, as recited in claim 12, wherein said longitudinalreinforcing rib of each of said shelf retaining members is formed incurved cross sectional configuration.
 15. The shelf supporting beamconfiguration, as recited in claim 13, wherein said surrounding edge andsaid base panel of said shelf platform are located at differenthorizontal levels, wherein said shelf platform is reversibly supportedby said bounding frame at a first position and a reversibly secondposition, wherein at said first position, said surrounding edge issupported by said boundary frame at a position that said base panellocated above said surrounding edge, and at said second position, saidsurrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position thatsaid base panel located below said surrounding edge.
 16. The shelfsupporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 14, wherein saidsurrounding edge and said base panel of said shelf platform are locatedat different horizontal levels, wherein said shelf platform isreversibly supported by said bounding frame at a first position and areversibly second position, wherein at said first position, saidsurrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position thatsaid base panel located above said surrounding edge, and at said secondposition, said surrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at aposition that said base panel located below said surrounding edge. 17.The shelf supporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 15, whereinat said first position, said base panel is aligned with said firstlongitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member, and at said secondposition, said base panel is supported below said first longitudinaledge of said shelf retaining member.
 18. The shelf supporting beamconfiguration, as recited in claim 16, wherein at said first position,said base panel is aligned with said first longitudinal edge of saidshelf retaining member, and at said second position, said base panel issupported below said first longitudinal edge of said shelf retainingmember.
 19. The shelf supporting beam configuration, as recited in claim4, wherein said longitudinal reinforcing rib of each of said shelfretaining members is formed in curved cross sectional configuration,wherein said surrounding edge and said base panel of said shelf platformare located at different horizontal levels, wherein said shelf platformis reversibly supported by said bounding frame at a first position and areversibly second position, wherein at said first position, saidsurrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at a position thatsaid base panel located above said surrounding edge, and at said secondposition, said surrounding edge is supported by said boundary frame at aposition that said base panel located below said surrounding edge. 20.The shelf supporting beam configuration, as recited in claim 19, whereinat said first position, said base panel is aligned with said firstlongitudinal edge of said shelf retaining member, and at said secondposition, said base panel is supported below said first longitudinaledge of said shelf retaining member.